Doctors say Pelé’s health improving, remains in hospital
FILE - Brazilian Pele attends the 2018 soccer World Cup draw at the Kremlin in Moscow, Dec. 1, 2017. Brazilian soccer great Pelé was hospitalized in Sao Paulo to regulate the medication in his fight against a colon tumor, his daughter said on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. Kely Nascimento added that there was “no emergency” concerning her 82-year-old father's health. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alexander Zemlianichenko]
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian soccer great Pelé is improving, doctors said Tuesday.
The 82-year-old Pelé has been hospitalized for a week to treat a respiratory infection aggravated by COVID-19. He is expected to leave the hospital when he fully recovers from the infection.
“(He has) stable vital signs, is conscious, and with no new complications,” the Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement.
Pelé, a three-time World Cup winner, is also fighting cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.
In Qatar, the image of a young Pelé celebrating goals and lifting trophies with Brazil’s national team appeared on the shirts, flags and banners of Brazilian fans gathering Monday before a World Cup match against South Korea.
Brazilian players hold a banner in honour of the 82-year-old Brazilian soccer legend Pele who is in a hospital in San Paulo recovering from a respiratory infection at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and South Korea at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jin-Man Lee)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jin-Man Lee
Aficionados de Brasil alientan a la selección detrás de un cartel con imágenes de Pelé, el lunes 5 de diciembre de 2022, antes de un partido del Mundial ante Corea del Sur en Al Rayán, Qatar (AP Foto/Martin Meissner)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Martin Meissner
Brazilian fans hold a banner showing the Brazilian soccer legend Pele with the message 'Get well soon' during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and South Korea at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. Pele is in a hospital in San Paulo recovering from a respiratory infection. (AP Photo/Jin-Man Lee)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jin-Man Lee
Pelé had said he would be watching the match from the hospital. Brazil won 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals.
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